E 
540 



^TSr AOOOTTNT 



OF THE 



SUFFERINGS OF FKIFNDS 



F 



NORTH CAROLINA yHAR[,Y MEETIN( 



IN SUPPORT OF THEIR 



TESTIMONY AGAINST WAR, 



FROM 



J .sn 1 TO 1 8(> 



'iililislifid liy Order of llic l!op<!<;ji(alivcs oT\\(frlli r;i,r(tlin:i V''||mff|lino- of Wm\k 




V> A I. T I M It E: 

.S^ 9- 57 4' M T B; E sis of WI L L Ifi }/t K. F ■■ 
' '■/ ."<■, of Jhdtlmore and St. Pavl siretfl.". 
1 ,'^ fi ft . 




GlassF 5H6 



Book .F? Fi :^- 



f 






A.]sr A.coou]srT 



OF THE 



SUFFERINGS OF FRIENDS 



OF 



NORTH CAROLINA YEARLY MEETING, 



IN SUPPORT OF THEIR 



TESTIMONY AGAINST WAR, 



FROM 



1861 TO 1865 



Publiskd by Order of tk Representatives of North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends. 




BALTIMORE: 

81EJ1J^ <PI^E88 OF WlLIalfiJA. K. ^OYLE, 
Corner of Baltinwre and St. Paul Streets. 

1868. 



V 



HF72 



Y 



4 



AK" ACCOUNT 



SUFFERINGS OF FRIENDS 

Of North Carolina Yearly Meeting, in support of their 
Testimony against War, from 1861 to 1865. 



We believe it right to record the sufferings of Friends in 
North Carolina during the late Rebellion, not that they so 
greatly exceeded tliose of others, but because principles of 
such high importance were involved in thera as totally to 
separate them in cliaracter and results from the general 
calamities of war. The position of Friends in this State 
was a peculiar one. Utterly opposed not only to war itself, 
but, as was well known, to the system of slavery, vviiicii 
was the leading object of the contest, they had a double {)or- 
tion of enmity to bear. While many others reai)ed as they 
had sown, or were innocently involved in the fatal choice of 
their rulers, they suffered ior conscience sake, they endured 
grief, suffering wrongfully; it was emphatically "the trial of 
their faith," and as such, precious, we believe, in the sight 
of the Lord, and worthy of remembrance among men. We 
desire also to commemorate tlie loving kindness of our God; 
for He who said "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you 
and persecute you" has Himself been with His pe()[)le as 
their Refuge, and has proved his faithfulness in strength- 
ening them to bear their testimony for Him, in delivering 
them from danger, and in overruling all for good. 

We think it right to refer more minutely to our position 
respecting Slavery: — a position reached by patient and con- 



tiniious effort about one hundred and fifty years after the 
origin of our Religious Society. The first action on the 
subject by North Carolina Yearly Meeting was in 1740, 
and went no further than to advise that negroes be well 
used. The next record in 1758 refers to making provision 
for Negroes' Meetings. In 1770 the importation of Negroes 
from Africa was declared iniquitous, and buying them from 
traders or dealers was also disapproved. In 1776 the sub- 
ject of slaveholding itself was at last solemnly considered, 
and about ten years after was formally condemned by our 
Discipline.* For more than thirty years those Friends 
who were not fully convinced of this evil or were so in- 
volved in it as to render their extrication difiicult, were 
the objects of faithful and patient care. "One Committee 
after another was appointed. Deficient members were again 
and again advised and dealt with in love and tenderness. 
A very few were disowned. They mostly yielded to their 
conviction of duty. Truth and justice triumphed. Slave- 
holding in the Society was abolished. "f In 1818 a brief 
record of the Yearly Meeting shows this final result, "none 
held as Slaves." 

No sooner had Friends assumed their own decisive posi- 
tion and embodied their convictions in their Book of Disci- 
j)line, than they began to extend their efi'i^-ts. In 1787 they 
laid the subject before the General Assembly of the State. 
For many years after, they presented almost annually simi- 
lar protests against the unjust and oppressive laws that 
upheld slavery, clearly pointing out its inseparable evils. 
After a first, or sometimes second reading, these appeals 
were laid upon the table. Yet we believe such faithful 
words, evidently actuated by no party spirit, and lieard 

*The same step was taken by Virginia Yearly Meeting in 1785. For similar 
movements in other Yearly Meetings, See "A Brief Statement of the Rise and 
Progress of the Testimony of the Religious Society of Friends against Slavery, 
and the Slave Trade. Published by direction of Philadelphia Vearly Meeting, 
1843." 

tSee "A Narrative of some of the Proceedings of North Carolina Yearly Meet- 
ing on the subject of Slavery, within its limits, published by order of the Meet- 
ing for Sufferings of North Carolina Yearly Meeting," 1848 



year after year by all our le<;islators down to the year 1834, 
could not have been wholly lost.* At least it was per- 
fectly understood that one religious Societyf in their midst 
could not for conscience sake participate in what law and 
custom and even religious opinion so fully sanctioned. 

We believe that Friends endeavored to maintain their 
testimony fliithfully as the darkness around grew thicker; 
but it was at the cost of much that the world counts most 

*As a specimen of these faithful appeals, and also as indicating clearly the 
increasing severity of the Slave laws, we give the following extract from a 
memorial presented in 1834. "Your memorialists are emboldened under a weighty 
. sense of religious duty, to petition the present General Assembly to repeal all 
those laws, enacted by preceding legislatures of this State against the literary 
instruction of Slaves, whereby it is made a finable offence for any to be found 
teaching their slaves to read. And they also respectfully request your con- 
sideration of the repeal of the laws recently enacted, prohibiting all colored 
persons in this State— bond and free— under a penalty, of corporal punishment, 
from preaching and exhorting publicly in their respective religious congregations. 
We consider these laws unrighteous— contrary to the spirit of Christianity- 
offensive to God. And your memorialists believe, if not repealed, they will in- 
crease the difficulties and danger they are intended to prevent. 

"Your petitioners, so far from using any measures either publicly or privately, 
that would tend to increase the discontent of the slaves with their situation, feel 
it their indispensable duty on all suitable occasions, to encourage slaves to obedi- 
ence and faithfulness to their masters, as the probable means of mitigating their 
sufferings and ameliorating their present condition; and we do exhort masters to 
be kind to their slaves, as we have no doubt Christian usage would induce a recip- 
rocity of kindlier feeling between them, and ultimately tend to increase the happi- 
ness of both. May we not believe the more we live in the spirit and practice of 
the precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more kind and gentle will be our 
treatment of every grade of our fellow creatures— for was not the harmonizing 
and evangelizing of the whole human family one of the grand purposes for which 
this religion was introduced into the world? 

"And lastly, your petitipners would respectfully submit to your consideration 
not only the repeal of the laws before mentioned, but the enactment of other laws 
and regulations for the general instruction of slaves in the doctrines of the Chris- 
tian Religion, and in at least so much of literary education as would enable 
them to read the Holy Scriptures, which would undoubtedly tend to the improve- 
ment of their general character, and greatly lessen, if not wholly remove, the 
apprehension of danger from them." 

In 1818 and 1823 Memorials were presented to the Congress of the United 
States, 

tThe Methodists and Moravians both gradually gave up their testimony. 
The disruption of the former from the Northern Conference occurred iu 1844. 



6 

desirable. Free labor was witli great difficulty obtained, 
and to labor with their own hands was, through the blight- 
ing influence of slavery, held as degrading. Thus they were 
compelled by tlie force of surrounding circumstances to con- 
tent themselves not only with smaller gains, but to take also 
a lower social position. 

Under these depressing circumstances, in a land impov- 
erished by slave culture, cut off in various ways from the 
privilege of a good education for their children, many of our 
most enterprising members turned to the free and fertile 
West. It is impossible to determine the amount of this 
emigration,* but the present results are ver}' evident. 
There have sprung up, largely from this source, the Yearly 
Meetings of Ohio, Indiana, Western and Iowa, numbering 
at present over forty thousand members, extending through 
the Western States. We gratefully record our sense of the 
blessings which thus rewarded the faithfulness of one gen- 
eration in the prosperity of the next; and overruled their 
straitened position in their own land for the spreading 
abroad of their tents, we trust to the honor of Him who 
"setteth the poor on high from affliction, and maketh liim 
families like a flock." 

We now proceed to consider the position of Friends in 
North Carolina during the late War. A Convention met in 
the Fifth month of 1861, and passed an ordinance of Seces- 
sion for the State. In tlie Twelfth month of the same year 
an attempt was made to pass an ''Ordinance concerning 
Test Oaths and Sedition," by wliich every free male per- 
son in the State above sixteen years of age was required to 
appear publicly and renounce all allegiance to the Govern- 

*The tbllovving figures furnish the only Statistics ia regard to our numbers, 
which we can give with any degree of accuracy. 

Number of members in 1851 over five years of age about 3,000 
" " in 1861 " " " " 2,000 

" " in 18G7 " " " " 2,900 

The decrease from 1851 to 1861 was entirely owing to emigration and as this 
continued largely throu-iliout the war and at its close, the .lutual increase since 
1861 's much larger than shown l)v these figures. 



raent of the United States, and also promise to '^support, 
maintain and defend the independent Government of the 
Confederate States." The alternative was banishment in 
thirty days. An earnest protest was entered against this 
act which would fall with much severity upon Friends. 
Their peaceful, industrious and moral character was fully 
recognized and their peculiar stand-[)oint in regard to war 
and slavery urged on their behalf. It was claimed that the 
exception and special provision made in their favor by an 
Act of Assembly in 1777 ought still to protect them, 
and the final appeal was made in these words — ''Upon 
the expulsion from among us of such a people the civilized 
world would cry shame."* The proposed act fell to the 
ground, but not so the hostility that was capable of sug- 
gesting it. 

In the excitement which now prevailed throughout the 
State in the effort to j)romote volunteering, Friends were, in 
various ways, exposed to much anxiety. Many left the 
State, though every means was now used to prevent this, and 
several parties of emigrants were arrested and brought back. 
A few friends were occasionally included in the Draft, but 
obtained their release upon various grounds without much 
difficulty. It was not until the summer of 1862 that the 
great and general trial came. By the passage of a Conscrip- 
tion Act in the Confederate Congress, in the Seventh Month 
of this year, every man between eighteen and thirty-five 
years of age was required to enter the army. This Act, as 
early as 1863, was made to include all between the ages of 
eighteen and forty-five; and finally, in 1864, all between 
seventeen and fifty years of age. Meantime, in the Fourth 
Month of 1862, Friends had petitioned both the State Assem- 
bly and the Confederate Congress for relief. The State Gov- 
ernment first passed an Act of Exemption, releasing them 
from military duty upon the payment of one hundred dollars 
each, and on the 11th of 10th month a similar bill passed 

*See "Speech of Hon. William A. Graham, of Orange, in Convention of North 
Carolina, Dec. 7th, 1861, on the Ordinance concerning Test Oaths and Sedition. 
Raleigh, 1862." 



the Congress at Richmond, which exempted all who were 
members at that date upon the payment of five hundred 
dollars. 

Unlike our Friends in the Northern States, it was not upon 
a few that the trial came; but upon the many. And in 
another more important respect our positions differed widely. 
In our own case, the existing Government and the officers 
who executed its will, were far from having sympathy with 
us. We were still loyal at heart to the Government of 
the United States, and though submitting passively to a tem- 
porary usurpation, this was little merit in a community that 
called for the utmost zeal in the new cause. We testified 
against slavery, and in the fresh effort to establish it more 
firmly this was no small offence. Above all, we could not 
fight, and with the spirit of war so rampant in our midst, 
that the preaching of the Gospel of Peace gave way in almost 
every place of worship to a call to arms, the hatred and 
malice thus aroused fell with much violence upon us. 

In proceeding to give some details of the consequent suf- 
fering, it may be well, for the sake of clearness, to group 
them under three heads, viz: 

1. Cases of suffering previous to passage of the Exemption 

Act, or under irregular proceedings. 

2. Cases among the Newly Convinced Members, on whom 

the persecution fell most heavily. 

3. Cases of those who could not conscientiously pay the 

Exemption Tax. 



The first division, while embracing the largest number of 
instances, does not furnish the cases of greatest suffering. 
Rude arrests, short but uncertain imprisonments and violent 
threatenings were the common lot of many who were drafted 
or conscripted, but refused to fight. In not a few instances 
they were also hung up by the thumbs for several hours. 
Some of these escaped to the West, some obtained release 
on the ground of inability; others felt at liberty to engage 



in the State Salt Works, and some other kinds of employ- 
ment which protected those thus occupied — though not a few 
of the latter, finding their work too closely connected with 
war, relinquished it. We are willing also to acknowledge, 
that at this early stage of the war, the trial that fell so sud- 
denly upon us found some of us unprepared. There was 
naturally for a time some unsettlement and much uncertainty; 
but very soon we believe there was experienced a deeper root- 
ing for the storm, and those whose faith was really overthrown 
were very few indeed. After exemption had been obtained 
for our Society, there were still occasional instances of cruelty. 
In the constant search for Conscripts, thousands of whom 
were hidden in the woods, our Friends were often exposed to 
suspicion and danger. Sometimes from neglecting to carry 
their papers with them they were sadly maltreated. Space 
whicli will be needed for more important cases will allow us 
to give only one such occurrence in detail. 

In the spring of 1865, about forty men, professing to be 
in search of Conscripts, came to a mill belonging to J. D. of 
Cane Creek, Chatham Co. The miller was first hung up by 
a rope three times to force him to betray his sons, who were 
hidden. Upon hearing the screams of the miller's wife and 
children, J. D. went out to the crowd. The same infor- 
mation was demanded of him, but he assured them of his 
entire ignorance as to their retreat. He was at once seized 
and carried into the barn. A rope was tied around his neck, 
and thrown over a beam, while he was mounted upon a 
box. Then beginning to tighten the rope, they said, ''You 
are a Quaker, and your people, by refusing to fight and 
keeping so many out of the army, have caused the defeat of 
the South," adding, tliat if he had any prayers to offer, he 
must be quick, as he had only five minutes to live. J. D. 
only replied, that he was innocent, and could adopt the 
language "Father forgive them, they know not what they 
do." They then said tliey would not hang him just then; 
but proceeded to rob him; then ordered him under a horse- 
trough, threatening to shoot him if he looked up. While 
lying there he could hear them hanging up the miller throe 
2 



10 

different times, till tlie sound of strangling began. After 
finally extorting a promise from him to find his sons, they 
left, charging J. D. to lie still till they came back with some 
others to hang. They did not return, however, but went on 
to one of his Methodist neighbors whom they Imng until 
unconscious, and then left him in that state; and the next 
night they found one of the missing conscripts, whom they 
hung until dead. Such were the persecutions at the hands of 
violent men, of which many instances could be given. 



We now proceed to the Second Division — the newly con- 
vinced members of our Society, 

J. G. of Co. was conscripted in the autumn of 

1862. About two months before this, his fear of the coming 
evil was so great, that he left his home and family, and 
escaped to Tennessee. But finding that the step did not 
result in peace of mind, he returned, and quietly awaited 
the result. In about two weeks he was arrested and carried 
to Camp Holmes. In a few days the Conscripts were all 
summoned and offered bounty money if they would now 
volunteer. J. G. and two others refused the offer. An 
attempt was next made to entrap them by giving them a 
paper to sign, without which they were assured they could 
have neither money nor clothing. They were adroitly told 
of the great need they might soon have of the latter, or if 
not needing it themselves, of the good they might do in 
giving it to the needy. These offers were steadily refused, 
and the wily arguments met by the open assertion, that "all 
war was opposed to the whole spirit and teachings of the 
Gospel and the mission of the Christian. His weapons, they 
said, were not to be carnal, but spiritual." Bundles of cloth- 
ing were, however, soon tossed to them, with many offensive 
epithets, and they were now told that they must either obey 
orders or be shot; and that if they did not fire when in bat- 
tle, the men behind were ordered to shoot them. J. G. 
replied, "You have me here, and may inflict on me any 
punishment you will; but I cannot do more than submit to 



11 

wliat you inflict. My hands are clean of the blood of men, 
and I intend to keep them so, cost what it may." 

An attempt was then made to force the Bounty Money 
upon them, but in vain. One of the officers now came for- 
ward and said, "Boys, I want to give you some good advice. 
Take your clothing and money and go along. Obey your 
officers and do right, or else you will be put under sharp 
officers of Col. S. who will have you shot into strings if you 
don't obey. Just put away your Quaker notions now and do 
right, What regiment will you be sent to?" Refusing to 
commit himself by any choice, he was ordered to Richmond, 
Va.; but while on his way, he, with several others, was 
released through the efforts of Friends, and the payment of 
the |500 required. He was at this time in connection with 
the Methodists but was soon after united to Friends. 

It was in the midst of such commotions that many were led 
to very serious thoughts upon the inconsistency of war and 
fighting with the loving and quiet spirit of a disciple of 
Jesus. Decided first upon this point and then led on to the 
consideration of others, many sought admission to our Society. 
The whole number of these, including those members of their 
families who were often received with them, was about six 
hundred. There were many other grounds upon which the 
more quiet citizens of our State were opposed to the War, but 
such motives could rarely have been the inducement for them 
to unite with us. Nor did such a step allow of much hope of 
escape from suffering. Only those who were actually mem- 
bers at the time the Exemption Act was passed were allowed 
the benefit of it. It is true that through the leniency of some 
officers in the Confederate War Department this act was 
sometimes so construed as to cover other cases. But for this, 
special application had to be made, and such influences 
brought to bear, as few could hope to secure; while the release 
was usually obtained after a lengthened period of trial had 
tested the reality of their convictions. Thus it fell out that 
the storm burst with the greatest violence upon those who were 
in many ways the least prepared to meet it. By their old asso- 
ciates such views were regarded as lacking the excuse of early 



12 

training, and in the family circle the suffering had often to be 
more or less shared by those who did not partake of the con- 
viction that occasioned it. But He whose strength is given ac- 
cording to our need, prepared many of these to suffer cheer- 
fully for His name's sake, and to endure hardness as good 
soldiers of Jesus Christ. In the great multitudes that 
swelled the two vast armies arrayed against each other, there 
could not have been found instances of more lofty hero- 
ism, of calmer courage, and fearless unshrinking endurance 
of death, and agonies beyond those of death, than were 
exhibited by that little band, who made up another army, 
and followed as their only Captain the Prhice of Peace. No 
hope of higher honors lured tliem on. No exulting nation 
gave them its gratitude. Reviled and persecuted, their 
Heavenly Leader sustained them with one sure promise, 
''Great is your reward in heaven." 

S. F. who had become a member with us after the passage 
of the Exemption Act, and could not avail himself of it, was 
arrested in the Twelfth Month, 1864, and taken to Salisbury. 
On refusing to take a gun, he was subjected for two hours to 
the brutal punishment known as bucking; in which the 
person is placed in a stooping position, the wrists firmly 
tied and brought in front of the knees, with a pole tlirust 
between the elbows and the knees, thus keeping the body 
in a painful and totally helpless position. After this he 
was made to carry a pole for two or three hours, and then 
tied during the night. The next morning he was tied up 
by the hands for two hours. The same afternoon a gun was 
tied to his right arm and a piece of timber to his neck. 
Unable longer to endure the weight of it, he sat down in 
order to support the end of it upon the ground, when he was 
pierced by a bayonet. They then bucked him down again, 
and gagged him with a bayonet for the remainder of the day. 
Enraged at the meekness with which these cruelties and 
indignities were borne, the Captain began to swear at 
him, telling him it was useless to contend further, he 
must now take a gun or die. As the Captain proceeded to 



1 



13 

tie the gun upon his arm, S. F. answered quietly: "If it is 
thy duty to inflict this punishment upon me, do it cheer- 
fully — don't get angry about it." The Captain then left 
him, saying to his men: "If any oi' you can make him figlit, 
do it — I cannot." Two young men now appeared with their 
guns, telling him they were going to take him off and shoot 
him. "It is the Sabbath," he replied, "and as good a day 
to die as any." They however took him to the Colonel of 
the Regiment, who, more inclined to mercy, advised him to 
consult a lawyer and procure exemption, if possible, but 
assured him that if not so released he must take his gun or die. 
Two days after his gun was tied to his arm with great sever- 
ity, and a strap passed around his neck, by which he was 
dragged around nearly the entire day. The next day the 
bucking was resorted to. A Friend, who visited the camp at 
this time, remonstrating against such cruelty it was given 
up; though he was still retained as a prisoner till the sur- 
render of Salisbury not long after restored him to his family. 

J. B. of Chatham County, N. C. was, at the commence- 
ment of the war a Baptist and Colonel of the Militia. He 
threw himself eagerly into the Southern cause and began to 
raise volunteer companies. The refusal of some Friends to 
join in a parade, led him to examine the ground which they 
held. The result was, that he first hesitated to order the 
Captains of the different companies to enroll the Friends, 
and soon after, in the Fall of 1861, he resigned his own com- 
mission, under a full persuasion tliat "it was not right to 
slay his fellow-men." Starting on a dark night not long 
after to attend a political meeting, to be held near him, he 
lost his way, and wandering, in no small distress of mind, he 
reached at last the public road, and the steps of a building 
which proved to be the Friends' Meeting-House. While 
seated there alone, in solemn meditation, he became satisfied 
that it was his duty to unite himself with the people who 
worshipped there. Delaying a little to perform the vow 
which he had at that time made, on the 6th of Third Month, 
1862, he was drafted. He evaded the search made for him 



14 

by escaping into another County. Venturing to return in 
the Eighth Month he was for some time unmolested. He 
was received into membership with Friends in the First 
Month, 1863. He soon after paid the Exemption Tax. But 
the enmity which followed his decided course, and hith- 
erto singularly held in chock, now had its way. Early in 
the next year his exemption was revoked by a sub-officer, 
and he was sent under guard to Camp Holmes, near Raleigh, 
and then to Wilmington, where for four weeks he suffered 
mucli abuse. But his spirit was so far changed that he was 
able to endure it meekly, and even literall}'' when smitten on 
the one cheek turned the other also. A petition for liis release 
from his friends proving ineffectual, he resolved to escape. 
After a perilous journey on foot of 200 miles, he reached liis 
home only to be recaptured the next morning, and was soon 
again at Wilmington under still more cruel treatment. Be- 
lieving that he had erred iu his hasty escape, he now became 
resigned to whatever tliey might be able to inflict. An 
alarming illness, which brought him to the brink of the 
grave, led to his discharge. Upon his recovery he was again 
ordered to Camp, and put in jail for a week. Passed on 
again as a prisoner from Camp to Camp, he had, in each 
place, to bear his testimony amid sneers and taunts and cruel 
threats. At times he met with kinder treatment, and was 
allowed such work as he could conscientiously perform. He 
was finally released by the surrender of Johnston's army, 
after having, for three years, endured peril and hardness^ 
and, for the last year, almost continuous persecution. 

E. P. H. who has since become a member of our Society, 
became strongly convinced of the principles of peace. He 
was ordered to Salisbirty to guard Government stores; but 
refusing to participate in any luay in the work of war, a gun 
was fastened to his back, and he was tied to a guard post. 
In writing of this to a friend, he spoke of it as "the first 
punishment he had had the blessed privilege of enduring for 
Christ's sake." Often the curious crowds gathered around 
him to witness what in their^eyes, as naturally in his own, 



15 

stamped him as a coward and despicable. But instead of 
yielding to such an imputation, he fearlessly explained the 
conviction that led to his singular position; thus sometimes 
opening the eyes of others, and compelling the respect 
of nearly all to a courage far beyond their own. Strik- 
ingly were the words of the Apostle Peter verified in his 
experience— " If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, 
happy are ye;" and— "If any man suffer as a Christian, 
let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this 
behalf." 

The surrender restored him to his family, and the life thus 
ennobled by patient endurance, has since been earnestly 
devoted to the relief of the suffering around him, and the 
highest welfare of his fellow men. 

G. M. was arrested and removed from one guard house to 
another, till reaching Richmond, he was sent on to join the 
army of General Lee, then in the Valley of Virginia. 
Refusing to fight, he was ordered to the rear to cook. He 
explained, that while willing to do his own cooking, he 
could take no part in any of a soldier's duties. For this 
refusal he was bucked down ibr some hours. The next day 
the army was obliged to retreat, and on the way he was 
offered a gun. He replied, that he had no use for it, as lie 
could not fight. The General in command of his division 
then threatened him with immediate hanging, and he was 
marched towards some trees selected for the purpose. But 
arriving there he was allowed to go on with the retreatino- 
army. Refusing to accept any occupation tliat was military, 
even to carrying the baggage of the Officers, after varied 
abuses, (among which were much knocking and kicking,) he 
was put in close custody at Petersburg, where liis hardships 
were great; water to wash with being refused him for three 
weeks. But the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox 
Court House followed, and he was discharged, after bearin"- 
his testimony for conscience sake, through seven months 
of great trial and suffering. 



16 

Other members of this same family were called upon to 
lay down even their lives for a testimony, 

J. M., who had recently become a member, and had 
obtained employment in some iron works, in order, if pos- 
sible, to keep from the army, was arrested and hurried away 
without being permitted to see his wife and family — first to 
Raleigh and then in a few days to the Army in the Valley of 
Virginia. He was forced into the battle at Winchester, and 
in the retreat, finding the balls flying thick about him, he 
lay down upon the ground for safety. Being taken prisoner, 
he was carried to Point Lookout, where, in a few days, he 
died. It was believed by his family that his death was 
hastened by the mental suffering which he endured, both in 
his separation from them and in witnessing such scenes of 
carnage, in which he could take no part, and from which 
the natural tenderness of his soul recoiled. 

A. M. another brother of this family had received a 
Christian training, and being fully convinced both from the 
Scri{)tures and his own experience that he could not resist 
evil, and that he was bound so far as possible to live peace- 
ably with all men, he sought admission to the Society of 
Friends. He had obtained a discharge from the army which 
was disregarded. The Sergeant who was ordered to arrest 
him was an old schoolmate, who, while endeavoring to pro- 
cure his release, also protected him from abuse. From the 
first he had a strong impression that his days were now 
numbered; and while still in health he wrote to his father 
giving his last messages to his brothers and sisters, and also 
his wishes respecting his own burial. He was taken to Rich- 
mond, refused to fight, and was put under guard. The rations 
given him consisted only of meal made from cane seed. 
This unwholesome diet led quickly to severe illness, and in 
one of the Hospitals at Richmond, he laid down his life for 
the Gospel of Peace, a good soldier of Jesus Christ and 
early permitted a happier discharge and a more glorious 
reward than any of earthly giving. 



17 

S. W. L. of Randolph Co. N. C. was another of the 
number who proved faithful unto death. He had been a 
member of our Religious Society but a few months, when he 
was arrested as a conscript and sent to the Camp near Peters- 
burg, Va. Upon his arrival he was ordered to take up arms. 
Tliis he refused to do, and as a punishment, was kept from 
sleep for thirty-six hours. As this did not move him, for 
about a week after he was daily buoked down for some length 
of time and then suspended by the thumbs for an hour and a 
half. Being still firm in his refusal to fight he was court- 
martialed and ordered to be shot, A little scafibld was pre- 
pared on which he was placed, and the men were drawn up 
in line ready to execute the sentence, when he prayed, 
"Father forgive them; for they know not what they do." 
Upon hearing this, they lowered their guns, and he was 
thrust into prison. Not long after he was sent to Winder 
Hospital, at Richmond, Va. where after a long and sufiering 
illness the end came in his peaceful release for a mansion in 
heaven. A few lines from an ofiicer in the Regiment to 
which he has been assigned closed the suspense of an afilicted 
family, when his widow and his seven children were left with 
little other legacy than the like precious faith. "It is my 
painful duty to inform you that S. W. L. died in Winder 
Hospital, at Richmond, on the 8th of December, 1864. He 
died as he had lived, a true, humble and devoted Christian, 

true to his faith and religion We pitied him and 

sympathized with him but he is rewarded for his 

fidelity and is at rest." 

J. M. J., A. J. and D. J. were three brothers, who joined 
Friends after the passage of the Exemption Act. After 
their names were placed upon the list of conscripts in 1863, 
they still remained quietly at home, not even hiding in the 
woods. Their protest against bearing arms was unheeded, 
and they were arrested and sent on to the army at Orange 
Court House, Va. There they were ordered into ranks but 
on refusing to obey, J. M. J. was knocked down with a gun, 
and a long gash cut in his head. On attempting to rise, the 



18 

blow was repeated, this time nearly cutting off a portion of 
his ear. This was done a third time, and he was then sent 
to prison. His brother A. was at the same time undergoing 
his trial, being pierced with a bayonet to the depth of nearly 
an inch. The third brother though severely tried, suffered 
less in person. They were soon after sent to the Rapid Ann 
to General Scale's command where new trials awaited them. 
The American officers finding all their efforts to fail in subdu- 
ing them, turned them over to a German officer, who boasted 
that he could make soldiers of them. Various punishments 
and abusive, threatening language were used in vain. He then 
ordered them to be kept in close confinement for three days 
and nights, without food or drink, making it a court-martial 
offence for any one to relieve them. A Kentucky soldier, in 
the darkness of the night nobly risked his safety and passed 
in to them a little water to their great relief. The end of 
this trial found them still unwavering. They were then all 
bucked down for three or four hours. This cruel punishment, 
following so closely upon the others, proved too much for the 
mind of the youngest, which became for a time deranged. 
He was allowed medical treatment in a Hospital until his 
recovery, when he was again sent back to Camp. This 
severe treatment had now been continued for four or five 
weeks, when a Friend who was searching for them obtained 
first the suspension of this cruelty, and soon after, by applica- 
tion to Richmond, their release. 



We come now, under the third division, to cases of still 
greater suffering, and under circumstances which gave the 
closest possible test of fidelity to Christ as the Prince of 
Peace. Some Friends accepted the provisions of the Exemp- 
tion Act; others again could not conscientiously do so. The 
Yearly Meeting of 1862, adopted the following Minute upon 
the subject: 

•'We have had the subject under serious consideration, 
and while, in accordance with the advice issued by our last 
Yearly Meeting; 'we do pay all taxes imposed on us as citi- 



19 

zens and property-holders, in common with other citizens, re- 
memhering the injunction, tribute to whom tribute is due, cus- 
tom to whom custom ;' yet, we cannot conscientiously pay tlie 
specified tax, it being imposed upon us on account of our 
principles, being the price exacted of us for religious liberty. 
Yet we do appreciate the good intentions of those members 
of Congress who had it in their hearts to do something for 
our relief; and we recommend that those parents, moved by 
symj)athy, or young men themselves, dreading the evils of 
a military camp, who have availed themselves of this law, 
be treated in a tender manner." 

In the Spring of 1862 two brothers, H. M. H. and J. D. H. 
were drafted, arrested and taken to Raleigh. Being allowed 
to return home for ten days they faithfully reappeared. 
They were soon sent to Weldon, where they were required to 
drill, and were warned of their liability to be shot if they 
proved refractory. They were, however, only kept in close 
custody in the guard-house, and the next month were dis- 
charged and sent home. About a year after this, they were 
included in the Conscription. They were assigned to an ar- 
tillery company at Kinston, and after various threats were 

sent to Gen. R , who declared that his orders should be 

carried out at all hazards. They were now confined in an 
upper room without food or drink. Various persons were al- 
lowed to converse with them, and, as day after day passed on, 
so far from sinking under the sufiering, they used their little 
remaining strength gladly in explaining their testimony, and 
telling of their inward consolation. They felt that, in this 
time of fiery trial, this did indeed turn to them for a testimony, 
and that they knew the promise fulfilled. "It shall be given 
you in that same hour what ye shall speak." Their suffer- 
ings from thirst were the most acute. On the third night 
the brothers were wakened from a peaceful sleep by the sound 
of rain. A little cup had been left in their room, and from 
the open window they could soon have refreshed themselves. 
The first thought of each was to do so. They were in nowise 
bound to concur in this inhuman punishment. Yet an im- 
pression was clearly made upon their minds, before consult- 



20 

ing each other, that they must withhold, and they scarcely 
felt the copious showers tempt tliem. The next morning 
several officers entered the room and questioned them closely. 
They claimed it to be impossible for them to retain so ranch • 
strength without any food, and charged them with having 
secretly obtained it. They then, in much simplicity, told 
them of their not feeling easy to take even the rain that fell. 
This evidently touched the hearts of the officers. Soon after 
the end of four and a half days' abstinence, a little water was 
allowed^ and about the end of five days their rations were 
furnished again. This remarkable circumstance was widely 
spread and they had constant opportunities of bearing an open 
testimony to Christ, and not a few of those who crowded 
around, appeared to be persuaded of the truth which they lield. 
Even ministers of different denominations came and encour- 
aged them to be faithful. J. D. H. was next taken before 

General D , who said he would not require him to bear 

arms, but would set hira in the front of the battle, and use 
him to stop bullets. On declining to work on the streets 
as a part of the soldier's duty, he had a log of wood 
tied on his shoulders and was marched around until quite 
exhausted. He was next sent to a guard-house, then placed 
in a dungeon for a day — then in a prison cell. His persecu- 
tors seemed at their wits' end, but they finally devised a rude 
and barbarous punishment. A forked pole was thrust round 
his neck, and upon tlie prongs, as they projected behind it, a 
heavy block of wood was fastened. This they blasphemously 
called the Cross of Christ. The soldiers and town's-people 
were looking on, while he was thus "made a gazing stock by 
reproaches and afflictions." No sooner had the Captain fairly 
completed this work than in a rage he pulled it off again, 
and tied another log upon his shoulder, and marched him 
about till exhausted, when he was sent back to jail. 

Meantime his brother H. had been enduring a different pun- 
ishment. At three different times he was supended by his 
thumbs, with his feet barely touching the ground upon the 
toes, and kept in this excruciating position for nearly two 
hours each time. They next tried the bayonet. Their 



21 

orders were, t.liey said, to thrust thera in four inches deep; 
but, thou(i:h much scarred and pierced, it was not so severely- 
done as they had threatened. One of the men, after thus 
woundin<z: him, came back to entreat his forgiveness. In the 
various clianges of the next four months, some kindness was 
occasionally shown to them, but mingled with much cruelty. 
It was not till seven months had been passed in these fiery 
ordeals, that their release was obtained — another Friend 
thinking it right to pay their exemption money for them. 
The value of this tax, at that time, was only equal to a little 
more than a barrel of flour — a small sum indeed, could they 
have felt themselves easy to avail themselves of this provi- 
sion. It was no small addition to their sufferings that their 
families at home were sharing in it. In the extreme scarcity 
of labor, their wives were compelled to toil hard in the fields 
to raise the food for the coming winter, and this proved not 
merely a passing hardship, but left one of them in greatly 
enfeebled health. 

Another brother of the same family, W. B. H. was 
arrested on the 8th of Sixth Month, 1863. The officers to 
whose division he was assigned, were unusually rough and 
severe. Finally, after a full explanation of his views and 
the necessity he was under of refusing all military duties 
whatsoever, the Colonel said he should be shot, and the only 
favor allowed should be the choice of time — that night or 
the next morning. After a little pause, W. H. replied, that 
if it was his Heavenly Father's will that he should lay down 
his life, he would far rather do it than disobey one of his 
commands. But if it was not His will, none of them could 
take his life from him; however, they might give the order 
to do so. He then spoke of the three men who were cast 
into the burning fiery furnace, and of Daniel in the lions' 
den, who all trusted in God, and He delivered them. As to 
the time of his death, he could make no choice. The officer 
seemed greatly at a loss, and sent him to the wagon yard 
for the night. The next morning he was ordered out with 
a foraging party. He explained that he had two objections 
to this. It was, in the first place, military work, and 



22 

besides, it was taking the property of others. The Colonel, 
now greatly excited, came forward and had him laid on the 
ground, while a gun was tied to his back. He i-efused to 
rise with it on. The men were (hen ordered to run their 
bayonets into him, but tliey continued only to pierce his 
clothes. A squad of men was then drawn up in readiness 
to fire; but as the order was about being given W. H. raised 
his arms and said, "Father forgive them, for they know not 
what they do." Not a gun was fired, and some of the men 
were heard saying, "They could not shoot such a man." 
The enraged officer struck at his head, but missed his aim. 
He then spurred his horse repeatedly to ride over him, 
but tlie horse sprang aside at each attempt, and lie remained 
unharmed. The officer then left, saying, he was not yet 
done with him — but was himself killed the same or next 
day in the battle of Gettysburg. As W. H. was sick at tlie 
time of this battle, no attempt was made to force him into 
it. He found in the retreat, with which he was unable to 
keep up, a shelter and kind care at a farm house, but was 
soon taken prisoner by the Union Cavalry and sent to Fort 
Delaware, as a rebel prisoner. He had been ill there a week 
before a message could reach Philadelphia. Application 
was at once made at Washington, and a telegram was 
promptly dispatched from the War Office ordering his 
release upon taking an affirmation of allegiance to the 
United States. But loyal as he had ever been, he could 
not promise "to support, protect and defend"" the Constitu- 
tion and Government. He had already suffered too much 
and been too marvellously preserved to flinch now from 
bearing any portion of his testimony. He was told, while 
thus apparently upon the eve of his release, that there were 
two alternatives — tliis affirmation or imprisonment until the 
close of the war. But upon a fuller explanation of the 
nature of his scruples, an alteration was promptly made in 
the form of the affirmation. He was released, and like many 
others, found a home in the West till the close of the war 
allowed him to return to his beloved family. Tlie God whom 
he served had indeed been able to deliver him. 



23 

At the same time that W. B. H. was arrested, four others, 
having a birth-right membership with us, and opposed to 
the payment of the Tax, were taken by force from their 
homes in Randolph County, C. and A. B., brothers, and 
T. and J. H., also brothers, and cousins of the former. 
Although detained in the army for nine months, they suf- 
fered comparatively little from the cruelty of officers; yet 
the uncertainty of their lot, and the painful surroundings of 
camp life, kept them in constant dependance upon the care 
and loving kindness of their Lord. On their passage from 
Weldon to Camp French, near Blackwater, Va. the Con- 
scripts were packed standing so closely in a car, that they 
could only rest themselves by leaning on each other's knees, 
and were kept in this way without water, and with only the 
little food a few chanced to have with them for nearly 
twenty-four hours. They were assigned to the 52d N. C. 
Regiment. On declining to drill, they were entreated to 
pay the commutation tax, and were assured that their money 
should be used only for civil purposes. They steadily urged 
that liberty of conscience ought not to be purchased in any 

way. The Colonel then assigned them to Captain K , 

and from him and his company their quiet and consistent 
course won unexpected favor. The Lieutenant, however, for 
a time was very harsh, and ordered his men to compel them 
with guns and bayonets to aid in clearing ground for a 
camp. He was just ordering two men to press steadily upon 
them with the points of their bayonets, until they moved, 
an order which they contrived to evade for a few moments, 
injuring them but slightly, — when Captain K. appeared, 
and reproving the Lieutenant, told them they might remain 
quiet for that time. As they trusted in the Lord, He often 
turned the hearts of their commanders, so that even this 
same Lieutenant became kind and considerate. All sorts of 
work were offered to them, cooking, waiting on the sick, &c. 
But though willing to do the work itself, they could not 
accept such labor as military service. At one time they 
were ordered to help bring in some fodder. On refusing, 
they were first fastened together and then tied behind a 



24 

cart, so as to force them to run or be dragged three or four 
miles and back, through mud and water, upon a very cold 
day. If they still refused to load the fodder, the order was 
to pitch them into the river, — but such orders were more 
easily given than executed. Even tlie wagon master, who 
at first seemed fierce, relented, and after watching them pass 
through this humiliating trial, declared he could not help 
respecting men who stood up to their principles in that way. 
Their presence in the army became more and more perplex- 
ing. The wish was expressed that they would run away, 
but this they would not do. Furloughs were often given, 
and a written endorsement on one of these assigned as a 
reason for it, that "they were of no manner of use in the 
army." At the battle of Gettysburg, their prayers were 
heard, and though often ordered to the front, they were 
never forced to go. They shared the same lot as their friend 
W. B. H. and were released from Fort Delaware by the 
same order. 

Such were tiie heroes of tlie Army of Peace! Who shall 
estimate the power of such examples? Volumes may be 
written upon the impolicy and evils of War, but how feeble 
are all words by the side of such quiet deeds wrought in the 
Grace of their Blessed Leader. Most meekly, yet most nobly, 
did they keep the charge — "Thou therefore endure hardness 
as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Let it be remembered, 
they were in the hands of men whom slavery had long trained 
in the exercise of almost irresponsible power. The many 
lawless and cruel threatenings which they endured exhibit 
this most clearly. Such threats were not unfrequently exe- 
cuted upon others. 

A single well authenticated instance may suffice: 
A young man, formerly a Friend, was forced into the 
army, and, though reluctantly, entered upon military duties. 
One day he remarked quietly that he wished all the men. 
North and South, would go home and leave the rulers who 
brought on the war to fight it out. This unguarded speech 
was reported. He was tried by Court-Martial, and sentenced 
to be shot that day at noon. A few hurried trembling lines 



25 

of farewell, endorsed by a Chaplain, bore the awful tidings 
to a stricken family, where the mother's death, and a still 
darker cloud falling upon the mind of liis desolate widow, 
were tlie after results. 

Among all those who steadily refused to bear arms, and 
of whom many were imprisoned, not one suffered a violent 
death, which must surely be traced to the overruling Provi- 
dence of Him by whom "Even the very hairs of our head 
are all numbered." 

The pecuniary loss sustained by Friends of North Caro- 
lina was not small. As they could not fight, and as 
they were charged with favoring the cause of the Union, they 
were frequently marked out for special plunder. In the few 
small Meetings in Tennessee, included in the limits of this 
Yearly Meeting, the loss (in gold) was $35,000. In the 
vicinity of Goldsboro', in a Quarterly Meeting of about forty 
families, the whole loss of property was estimated in official 
returns at $98,220 (in gold.) This resulted, in part, from 
the army being quartered upon them at various times during 
the four years' struggle, but chiefly from the desolating 
march of General Sherman in the Spring of 1865. In not a 
few cases Friends were pointed out as very obstinate Seces- 
sionists and deserving of no mercy. Their homes were 
stripped of almost every comfort. Much of the bedding and 
clothing; furniture and food, which they could not carry off 
was wantonly destroyed. Their stock was generally swept 
away and scarcely a living animal, even to a chicken, re- 
mained. The sick were taken from their beds, that the 
soldiers might search for gold. So extreme was the destitu- 
tion that followed, that those who had lived in plenty were 
now seen upon the track of the army — searching for frag- 
ments of food to sustain life. A few old bones were counted 
a welcome treasure, and when this resource failed, and 
rations were distributed in Goldsboro', delicate women and 
children had often to walk ten or fifteen miles to procure 
a few days scanty food. The seed placed in the ground had 
been mostly destroyed and they could obtain no more. 



26 

The f'ellowsliip between members of other Christian De- 
nominations had been sundered by the War, whilst Friends 
had maintained their Cliristian love and brotherly confi- 
dence unbroken during these years of separation and trial. 
And no sooner had the tidings of this great suffering reached 
Friends of Baltimore, than tlie most prompt and generous 
measures were taken for their relief. Funds were also freely 
contributed by Friends elsewhere; clothing and various 
little comforts, such as love only could suggest were pre- 
pared, and shipments of food went forward immediately; the 
Secretary of War promptly giving passes to those who were 
the bearers of this relief, tlie first we believe sent after the 
surrender. Though personally strangers, they were wel- 
comed with tears of joy and gratitude by Friends; and even 
others who still felt alienated from fellow professors, and even 
kindred at the North, looked on in wonder at this exhibition 
of love unfeigned. 

Meantime the Friends living in the Counties of Alamance, 
Chatham, Randolph and Guilford* and comprising by far 
the largest portion of those in the State were placed in most 
imminent peril. Aiter tlie fall of Richmond and the sur- 
render of General Lee, the army of General Johnston was 
still near Greensboro, while the army of General Sherman 
moved on from Goldsboro to the otlier side of Raleigh, and 
with a day or two's march between, demanded the surrender 
of the Confederate forces. While awaiting the answer. 
President Lincoln was assassinated. Roused by this to a 
still more determined spirit, the army of Sherman seemed 
prepared for the most utter devastation. Between the two 
opposing forces, and indeed partially surrounded by them, 
lay our peaceful homes, with an apparently almost certain 
destruction hanging over them. We had neither weapon 
nor shield, save our prayers and our trust in the Arm of the 
Lord. But these were all we needed. The threatening 
cloud of battle rolled away and the surrender of the last of 

*Correspondin}r ncarlv with the limits of four QtiHrterlj- Meetings. Western, 
New Garden, Deep River and Southern. 



27 

the Sontliern armies was affected without bloodshed in our 
very niidst. Through ibur years of danger and distress on 
every hand, the Lord had been increasing the faith of His 
people and now they were left to rejoice in safety over their 
last, crowning and signal deliverance. 

Whilst the physical wants o^ our Friends were being re- 
lieved, others as important existed still. Our educational 
privileges, never at any time large, had been almost entirely 
suspended by the war, and our children. for four years (with 
many of them, the most important period for mental train- 
ing) had been cut off from schools and books. The Balti- 
more Association, which had received large aid from tlie 
otlier Yearly Meetings and held it in charge, proceeded now 
to follow up this higher need. Their efforts have resulted 
in tlie establishment of forty schools of the best character, 
including a Normal School, embracing in all, about 2,600 
scholars; and a De})artmetit of Agriculture; and these privi- 
leges are shared to a large extent by our neighbors. 

In thus reviewing the trials to which our members have 
been exposed during the past four years, we have desired to 
commemorate and magnify the Grace which has supported 
us through all. We rejoice that peace has again come, and 
that the great curse and incubus of Slavery has been lifted 
from off our land. 

We wish also gratefully to acknowledge our sense of the 
love of our Brethren of the other Yearly Meetings, both in 
this country and across the Atlantic; whose efforts to repair 
our losses, promote the education of our children, and benefit 
our agriculture have cheered, comforted and encouraged us. 

None of our members have passed through the terrible 
ordeal of the War, without sharing somewhat the calami- 
ties inseparable from it; but we record, with thankful 
hearts, the merciful preservation, which has so manifestly 
been extended to those whose only defence was their trust in 
the Lord; whereby our faith in His ever excellent Name has 
been strengthened and our love for one another increased. 



28 

He Himself has condescended to be with those wliorn He 
has permitted to suffer for His Name's sake, enabling them 
to bear a testimony for Him, and giving them, as we humbly 
believe, the assurance of His presence and love. To Him 
only be the glory! 

Signed by direction and on behalf of the Representatives 
of North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends, held at Deep 
River, N. C, Seventh Month 18th, 1868. 

NATHAN F. SPENCER, Clerk, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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